Layered Removable Graffiti Skin

ABSTRACT

Improvements in a graffiti covering skin are disclosed the covering skin is formed from multiple layers of transparent or filtering layers that can be individually removed to provide a new layer without graffiti or damage. Each layer of the skin provides different functions to provide a material that covers existing graffiti and creates a new surface that reduces or repels future graffiti from being placed on the original host surface. One of the layers can be a visual pattern layer that provides the desired appearance of a hard surface of stainless steel, mirror, wood, color, marble, granite or light filtering. This layer provides a structural rigidity that maintains dimensional stability. The skin is backed with a removable adhesive that is removed from the host surface without leaving a residue. Each skin is measured and cut to the desired size before placement in a host surface.

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.15/296,899, filed Oct. 18, 2016, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S.application Ser. No. 14/831,655, filed Aug. 20, 2015, which is acontinuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/195,347, filed Mar.3, 2014, which in turn claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application61/890,484 filed Oct. 14, 2013, and U.S. Provisional Application61/772,674 filed Mar. 5, 2013.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not Applicable

INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

This invention relates to improvements in a film covering with removableouter layers to remove graffiti, damage, scratches, wear and tear on ahost surface, to reduce future vandalism and simulates, improves ormodifies the surface it covers. More particularly, the present coveringskin provides a multi-layered skin that is thick enough to cover surfacescratches.

Most public places are susceptible to damage by vandals. Vandalism cantake many forms including but not limited to tagging by paint, markersand scraping. For all of these forms of vandalism the outer surfacebecomes cosmetically altered. When the damage is from painting ormarkers the surface can be chemically cleaned. Often the cleaningprocess creates further damage to the surface. For damage caused byscraping or scratching the surface, cleaning is not effective, andsanding the surface may remove legibility of the markings, the surfacewill still be cosmetically unpleasing. The vandalism can be scratches tocounters, elevators, walls, wood, metal and glass surfaces.

Proactive efforts to cover a transparent glass surface, such as a windowor mirror, require covering one or both sides of the glass surface witha covering or skin that is easily removable and replaceable withoutsignificantly altering the opacity of the glass or window. Some priorart discloses a window treatment that provides filtering of the lightthrough a window. These filter skins are placed on the inside of thewindow and are destroyed when removed and can't be reused. Thesefiltering films further are fragile and can be easily damaged by vandalsthereby making them ineffective against vandalism because they are moreeasily damaged.

A number of patents and or publications have been made to address theseissues. Exemplary examples of patents and or publication that try toaddress this/these problem(s) are identified and discussed below.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,540,952 issued on Apr. 1, 2003 to james A LaPoint etal., discloses a Laser ablation of multiple layers. The method ofproviding multiple arcuate ablations on a corner portion of a polymericlaminate. The laminate includes more than one layer, with each layerhaving an exposed upper surface. just the edges have ablations, asopposed to holes that require a tool to remove a layer.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,461,709 issued on Oct. 8, 2002 and U.S. Pat. No.6,777,055 that issued on Aug. 17, 2004, both to Jeffrey R. Janssen etal., and discloses a Graffiti and/or environmental protective articlehaving removable sheets, substrates protected therewith, and a method ofuse. The invention relates to an article comprising a transparent stackof sheets that may be applied, for example, to protect substrates suchas glass or plastic windows, signage or displays. A topmost sheet can bepeeled away after it is damaged to reveal an undamaged sheet below. Thispatent discloses a film that is optically clear and allows thevisibility of the host surface to be visible through the multiplelayers.

What is needed is a covering that simulates the appearance of thesurface they cover and covers surface damage such as, but not limited tocover graffiti, damage, scratches, wear and tear on a host surface suchas but not limited to escalator sides, elevators, doors, windows, walls,counters and restroom partitions. The proposed Graffiti covering skinprovides the solution with a removable skin that simulates or covers theoriginal surface and covers any existing graffiti and surface damage.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the layered removable graffiti skin to be formed frommultiple layers of different materials. Each layer of the graffiticovering skin provides different functions to provide a material thatboth covers existing graffiti, damage, scratches, wear and tear on ahost surface and creates a new surface that reduces or repels futuregraffiti from being placed on the original host surface.

It is an object of the layered removable graffiti skin to provide acosmetic appearance of smooth, mirror, textures, wood grain, marble, andgranite, color, filtering, brushed or textured surface. At least one ofthe layers is a thin layer of cosmetic material or a layer that providesthe appearance of a mirror, stainless steel, wood grain, marble,granite, color, mirror or transparent surface. The cosmetic appearancecan be from printing, painting, screening, brushing, or other processes.This layer provides a structural rigidity that maintains dimensionalstability. It reacts like a sheet of material that is much thicker thanthe individual layer of material that is being used. The thickness ofthe graffiti covering skin is sufficient to cover imperfections,scratches or gouges in the surface that is being covered.

It is still another object of the layered removable graffiti skin foreach skin to be measured and cut to the desired size before placement onthe host surface. Each host surface is pre-measured to determine theoptimal size and shape of the graffiti covering skin. The skin or skinscan be cut and fabricated at a factory that is located away from thesite of installation, or can be fabricated, modified or trimmed at theplace of installation. The skin or skins can then be transported ormoved to the host surface for installation where the backing skin isremoved and placed onto the host surface. The removable sacrificiallayers can be removed by the business owner.

It is another object of the layered removable graffiti skin to utilizeacrylic or PSA adhesives. These adhesive allow removal of a single layerwithout leaving an adhesive residue on the remaining sheets.

It is still another object of the layered removable graffiti skin foreach skin to provide light filtering or obscuring. The light filteringreduces utility costs and damage caused by harmful sunlight rays thatenter an unprotected window. The skin can be placed on one or both sidesof a storefront window, or transportation vehicle window such as a trainor bus to provide damage protection from vandals that may attack theoutside of the business as well as provide protection on the inside ofthe business window. Because the skin can be easily removed and replacedit is contemplated that the amount of window filtering can be altered atdifferent times of the year to provide high levels of sun filtering insummer months and low levels of filtering in winter months when outsidesunlight is less.

Various objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the presentinvention will become more apparent from the following detaileddescription of preferred embodiments of the invention, along with theaccompanying drawings in which like numerals represent like components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

FIG. 1 shows the layers of the laminate.

FIG. 2 shows a table of the process settings that were used for boringthe holes in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3A-3C show cross-sectional views the film with differentobliterated layers.

FIG. 4 shown the steps used to cover an existing base mirror, window,wall or surface.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows the construction layers of the graffiti covering skin 10.In this preferred embodiment the graffiti covering skin 10 may have anouter layer comprising a protective coating or film that protects theinner layer(s) from damage in transit or installation. The outer layer30 that can also be satin, flat, high gloss, paper or other material orfinish that can aid in installation. The protective surface istransparent or translucent and may be colored to provide a tint to anyunderlying layers. This outer surface 30 repels some damage fromvandalism and is provides a smooth cosmetic surface for protection ofthe next layer. The outer surface is also acid resistant.

The next layers 20, 21, 22 and 23 are removable transparent, translucentor opaque layers and may also include a visual pattern or filteringoverlay. In one preferred embodiment, the bottom layer 24 is a stainlesssteel or reflective mirror overlay or has an outer cosmetic surface thathas the desired appearance and texture. In some embodiments this can bea brushed finish, a satin finish, a mirror, a reflective or other finishas desired or specified by the customer. It is also contemplated thatthis surface can be a screened, printed or painted surface of materialthat simulates the desired stainless steel, copper, brass, wallpaper orother desired surface to match an existing substrate. The appearance ofcovered surface can be changed, as an example of an elevator beingchanged from bronze to stainless steel to provide an updated appearance.The exterior surface is not applied in a thermal vacuum formed process.While painting is disclosed as a possible surface coating on the outersurface of the overlay, the overlay is not paint that is applieddirectly to a surface. The overlay is also not intended for use onpainted walls or surfaces. The overlay is further not intended to be adiscoloration barrier.

In another preferred embodiment the visual pattern is smooth, textured,wood grain, marble, granite, colored appearance. The pattern cansimulate the underlying hard surface or can change the appearance of theunderlying surface for example changing the interior of an elevator fromstainless steel to wood grain. It is further contemplated that thevisual pattern can be light filtering to provide UV or other filteringthat provides light protection to the interior of the building and orreduces cooling expenses.

This layer 24 provides a structural rigidity that maintains dimensionalstability. It reacts like a sheet of material that is much thicker thanthe individual layer of material of stainless steel that is being used.The thickness of the graffiti covering skin 40 is sufficient to coverimperfections, scratches or gouges in the surface that is being covered.

The multilayer film works with medical visors, helmets and other useswherein dirt, debris, scratches or contamination of the viewing surfaceresults in serious issues and requires prompt, easy and rapid removal torestore visual acuity. The multiple layers 20, 21, 22 and 23 allow fasteasy removal of damaged layers or surface contamination. Each layer hasthick construction allows face shields to hold their shape. Theremovable layers leave no residue on underlying layer of face shield.Each layer 20, 21, 22 and 23 is 100 micron HC PET. Each layer is bondedtogether with no air gaps in construction results in high visible lighttransmission.

To produce the holes 25, 26 and 27, a Universal Laser Systems PLS6.75,with a 50 watt, 9.3 pm C02 laser and a 2.0 lens. It is also contemplatedto utilize a blade driven CNC to layers and holes. Compressed air/gas isdirected along the path of the laser beam. The cone protects thefocusing optics, cools material and prevents flame up of smoke andfumes. A Downdraft Cutting Table is designed to support material on anopen honeycomb surface and exhaust smoke and fumes from both sides ofthe material being processed to produce cleaner cut edges and reducemarring of the back surface of the material. When used in conjunctionwith air/gas assist and a cone, compressed air/gas helps direct smokeand fumes through the cut and then into the exhaust path incorporated inthe downdraft cutting table.

The release liner 29 is removable secured to the back of the removableadhesive (R.A.) layer 24. This release liner 29 is removed from thebonded layer prior to installation of the graffiti covering skin on thehost surface.

FIG. 2 shows a table of the process settings that were used for boringthe holes 25, 26 and 27 in FIG. 1. This table shows the power, speed andimage density that is used to obliterate material for the desired numberof layers to be removed. Removal of holes generally require the use of atool to remove a specific layer. This prevents a person from “picking”at an edge to remove a layer.

FIG. 3A-3C show cross-sectional views the film with differentobliterated layers. In these figures, micrographs (1 SOx) of the layer84, layer 83, and layer 82 for process results respectively. Images ofthe final samples cut from the Mirror Shield and 4Layer Mirror Shield.When cutting the Mirror Shield materials, edge quality was far superiorwhen cutting with the PET layer facing upwards. Otherwise, the aluminumedge was jagged and rough.

FIG. 4 shows the process that is used to prepare and cover a basesurface with the graffiti covering skin. When the installation job isscheduled, one or more people will measure and document an entire jobsite. This could be a panel in an elevator, escalator, wall panel,counters, store front of windows, or transportation vehicle walls and orwindows such as a train or bus. The process can further be applied tolarge areas such as an entire transit station or similar encompassingsignificant amounts of hard surfaces. The graffiti covering skin isapplied in a wet process where the moisture is squeegeed out and airdried to create the removable bond.

Each panel is measured and documented 60 to ensure that cut pieces willbe installed in the correct location with little or no trimming uponinstallation. This also ensure that if a panel needs to be replaced itcan be cut and installed without requiring the panel to be re-measured.

The majority of the material used, predominantly, has a clear,obscuring, mirror, filtering, brushed or grain surface appearance. Thecosmetic appearance can be from printing, painting, screening, brushing,or other processes. Other finishes can be selected as well asbrush/grain direction can be selected 61. An obscuring or filtering canprevent clear vision through the material. The obscuring prevents visualacuity test using a 3 meter Snellen eye chart to obscure vision throughthe layers by an observer with 6 meter/9 meter vision to read a line onthe eye chart. Raw material is ordered 70 based upon the calculated areathat is being covered and scrap that may exist from trimming andinstallation. A computer algorithm combines pieces and adjustsorientation to accommodate shapes, angles to optimize the graffiticovering skin material 62. Each piece is cut and identified for the joband location for placement. The holes are then bored 67 to allowsequential removal of individual layers.

At the job site the host surface is prepared by cleaning or removal ofprevious adhesives, oils, gum or other foreign material 63 that mightcause problems with installation or adherence of the graffiti coveringskin. The graffiti covering skin is then centered and installed onto thehost wall or existing base 64. Over a period of time a surface can bedamaged from vandals, age or a desire to update an appearance. Becausethe area has been documented in the past, the previous skin can beremoved 65 and replacement will be the selected 66 cut and replaced onthe host surface. This process can be repeated when desired or requiredwithout damage to the underlying host surface.

Heat is not required for application of the covering skin in theinstallation process. The covering skin is designed to be removablewithout leaving any adhesive or other material that must be separatelyremoved.

Thus, specific embodiments of a layered removable graffiti skin havebeen disclosed. It should be apparent, however, to those skilled in theart that many more modifications besides those described are possiblewithout departing from the inventive concepts herein. The inventivesubject matter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spiritof the appended claims.

While the preferred embodiments of the devices and methods have beendescribed in reference to the environment in which they were developed,they are merely illustrative of the principles of the inventions. Theelements of the various embodiments may be incorporated into each of theother species to obtain the benefits of those elements in combinationwith such other species, and the various beneficial features may beemployed in embodiments alone or in combination with each other. Otherembodiments and configurations may be devised without departing from thespirit of the inventions and the scope of the appended claims.

We claim:
 1. A method of forming a layered removable covering film forcovering a surface from graffiti, said method comprising: providing asubstrate having a top surface and a bottom surface; forming an adhesivelayer including a removably secured release liner on the bottom surfaceof the substrate; providing a plurality of removable film sheets andbonding the removable sheets together with acrylic bond wherein no airgaps are created between the removable film sheets thereby forming alaminated assembly; and laser obliterating holes through the pluralityof removable film sheets of the laminated assembly for sequentialremoval of the plurality of removable film sheets.
 2. The method ofclaim 1 further comprising the step of: forming the removable adhesivelayer manually and not by a thermal vacuum process.
 3. The method ofclaim 2 wherein the step of forming the removable adhesive layer isperformed by forming an acrylic based pressure sensitive adhesive blendof self-cross linking acrylic polymers.
 4. The method of claim 1 furthercomprising the step of: providing an outer protective cosmetic layer ontop of the topmost removable film sheet of laminated assembly.
 5. Themethod of claim 1 further comprising the step of: forming a protectivecosmetic layer on the topmost layer of the multiple layers of thelaminated assembly.
 6. The method of claim 1 further comprising the stepof: inserting a tool into the obliterated holes to remove a singleremovable film sheet.
 7. The method of claim 5 wherein the outerprotective cosmetic layer is transparent or translucent.
 8. The methodof claim 1 where further including the step of: forming the substratebetween 0.0005″ to 0.0250″ thick.
 9. The method of claim 1 furthercomprising the step of: installing the laminate assembly to a hostsurface.